'This study, along with our previous research revealing that only a small number of the bacteria in our armpits are actually responsible for bad smells, could result in the development of more targeted products that aim to inhibit the transport protein and block the production of BO,” said the study’s co-author Dr Gavin Thomas from the University of York.

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The results, published in the journal eLife, found only a small population of the bacteria of the Staphylococcus family take part in transforming odourless molecules we secretes through our skin glands into smelly components.

The research team were then able to see the transport protein’s detailed structure by crystallising it in labs and analysing the data to find how it works and how to target it.

“Modern deodorants work by inhibiting or killing many of the bacteria present our underarms in order to prevent BO,” Dr Thomas explained.